Five minutes with Austin Hyatt ...
Playing at: Reading (AA) Position: Starting pitcher Bats: Right. Throws: Right. Height: 6-3. Weight: 205. Age: 25. Born: May 23, 1986, in Atlanta.
Playing at: Reading (AA)
Position: Starting pitcher
Bats: Right. Throws: Right.
Height: 6-3. Weight: 205.
Age: 25.
Born: May 23, 1986, in Atlanta.
How obtained: Drafted in the 15th round in 2009.
This season: Is 6-3 with a 4.03 ERA in 12 starts . . . Is tied for second among Eastern League pitchers in wins, trailing only Harrisburg's Brad Peacock . . . Has gotten bounced around lately, surrendering 16 earned runs in his last 27 innings . . . Will start tonight at Bowie (Md., tickets: 301-464-4865).
Career at a glance: Was dominant at Williamsport in 2009 before moving to Lakewood and helping the BlueClaws win the South Atlantic League championship . . . Went 11-5 with a 3.04 ERA for Clearwater last year and was named the Florida State League pitcher of the year . . . Ended last year by making four starts for Reading (1-0, 4.91).
Biggest influence: Brother Jared, who spent 2-plus years pitching in the Rangers system before being released last season. "He's 2 years older than me and always played baseball as well. Competing against him growing up really [pushed me] having somebody bigger and older to work against."
Toughest thing he ever had to deal with: His mom, Jan, died of breast cancer in 2007. "She set a great example for me and is still a big influence in my life."
Athlete he'd pay to watch: Roy Halladay. "I got to see him throw a bullpen [session] in spring training. To see 20 or 30 guys just stop and watch what he's doing . . . he's the best out there."
Cam Newton is . . . "A great football player. He's fun to watch." Hyatt, a 2009 Alabama grad, declined to make any pointed remarks toward rival Auburn.
Most memorable athletic moment: Throwing a one-hitter last year against Jupiter. Hyatt had 14 strikeouts in eight innings of work.
Special delivery: Received a huge trophy for winning the 2010 Florida State League pitcher of the year. "I didn't know what it was when it came in the mail." He keeps it in his room. "It's cool. Definitely."
Growing up: Grew up watching the Braves dynasty in the 1990s. John Smoltz was his favorite, though he doesn't specifically remember the 1993 NLCS (he was 7). "But I'm sure I was up watching it with my parents."
Favorite sports movie: "Major League." "Watching it when you're younger, you think it's really like that. Then you get into pro ball and it's not exactly like that." Says "Bull Durham" is closer to reality, but it's not "spot on."
Cuba trip: Played a three-game series against a mixture of the Cuban national team and a local baseball academy while at Alabama. Hyatt started the first game, which ended in a tie. But that was only part of the experience. "We saw some [soldiers] standing on the streets carrying machine guns. I guess it's commonplace for them, but it was shocking to see."
Dream dinner guests: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ted Williams. "It'd be great to know what those guys were really like. And throw in Cy Young. He's got all the records, right?"
- Ed Barkowitz
